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Augmented Scale - The Jazz Piano

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Introduction

Much like the Diminished Scale is actually just two diminished

chords superimposed over each other. The Augmented Scale
is just two augmented chords superimposed over each other.
But it can also be thought of as three major triads superimposed
over each other:

Scale Notes Chords

C Augmented Scale C E♭ E G G# B C+ = C E G#
E♭+ = E♭ G B

C=CEG
E = E G# B
A♭ = A♭ C E♭

The Augmented Scale is:

• a Hexatonic Scale (6 notes)

• a Symmetrical Scale (repeating intervals)

• Also knows as the minor-third half-step scale (because that is

the intervals that make up the scale)
 Because the scale is symmetrical, there are only 4 unique
Augmented Scales (i.e. the C Augmented contains all the same
notes as the E and A♭ Augmented)

• C = E = Ab Augmented

• Db = F = A Augmented

• D = F# = Bb Augmented

• Eb = G = B Augmented

And also, much like the Diminished Scale, you can create
modes of the Augmented Scale by just starting on a different
note. So for example, C minor-third half-step scale contains all
the same notes as E♭ half-step minor-third scale.

Scale Notes

C minor-third half-step scale C E♭ E G G# B

Eb half-step minor-third scale E♭ E G G# B C

You can use the C Augmented Scale over any chord that:

• Contains only notes from the C Augmented Scale;

• Contains the C Augmented Triad within it.

Chord Notes Equivalent Chord

CMaj7#5 C E G# B NA

CmMaj7 C E♭ G B NA

CMaj7 CEGB NA

C+ C E G# NA

D7#11 D F# A C E G# G♭7#11
B♭7#11
 Chord Notes Equivalent Chord

D♭mMaj7 D♭ E A♭ C FmMaj7
AmMaj7

Dm9♭5 D F A♭ C E G♭m9♭5
B♭m9♭5

Note: The Augmented Scale contains ‘avoid notes’ so be careful

when using it. For example:

• E♭ over CMaj7#5

• B over C7#5

You can use both the C minor-third half-step scale and the C
half-step minor-third scale over a C7alt chord:

C minor-third C E♭/D# E G G#/A♭ B

half-step scale
notes

C7alt degrees 1 #9 3 5 ♭13 7 (avoid

note)

C half-step C D♭ E F A♭ A
minor-third scale
notes

C7alt degrees 1 ♭9 3 11 (avoid ♭13 13

note)

Augmented Lick

Below is a classic augmented lick in C Augmented. Try it out

and listen to how it sounds.
 Have a Listen to

This scale was popularised by John Coltrane, Oliver Nelson and

Michael Brecker. Sections of the following songs use the
Augmented Scale:

• Freight Time ~ Michael Brecker

• Straphangin’ ~ Michael Brecker

• One Down, One Up ~ John Coltrane

• Stolen Moments ~ Oliver Nelson

• Hoe-Down ~ Oliver Nelson

• Survival of the Fittest ~ Freddie Hubbard

• Pendulum ~ Dave Liebman

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